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| United States Patent |
5,198,613
|
|
Jenkins, Jr.
|
March 30, 1993
|
Waterproof device for holding explosives in a borehole and method for
using the same
Abstract
This invention relates to a waterproof device for holding explosives in a
borehole, a method of lining at least a portion of a borehole with an
elongated, flexible, waterproof liner and a method of lining at least a
portion a borehole with an elongated, flexible, waterproof liner and
filling the liner with explosives.
| Inventors:
|
Jenkins, Jr.; Sanford S. (Lee's Summit, MO)
|
| Assignee:
|
Stemlock, Inc. (Lee's Summit, MO)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
650037 |
| Filed:
|
February 4, 1991 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
102/313; 102/312; 102/333 |
| Intern'l Class: |
F42B 003/00 |
| Field of Search: |
102/312,313,333,323,324
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 921144 | May., 1909 | McGregor | 102/333.
|
| 3151556 | Oct., 1964 | Kapovich | 102/333.
|
| 3173368 | Mar., 1965 | Griffith et al. | 102/333.
|
| 3760728 | Sep., 1973 | McKee et al. | 102/324.
|
| 4470352 | Sep., 1984 | Leperre | 102/333.
|
| 4522125 | Jun., 1985 | Marz | 102/324.
|
Primary Examiner: Nelson; Peter A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Willian Brinks Olds Hofer Gilson & Lione
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A waterproof device for holding explosives in a borehole, comprising:
a tube;
an elongated, flexible, waterproof liner having a first, a second end, and
an explosive holding portion wherein the liner is disposed on and about
said tube;
the first end having an aperture through which explosives can be loaded
into the liner;
the second end being closed and having sufficient strength to avoid
rupturing when a force is exerted against the second end to dispose the
liner within and along at least a portion of a borehole.
2. A method of lining at least a portion of a borehole with an elongated,
flexible, waterproof liner and filling said liner with explosives,
comprising:
disposing the liner an and about a tube;
locating the liner at or at least partially within the entrance of the
borehole, wherein the liner comprises a first end, a second end, and an
explosive holding portion of the borehole;
exerting force against the second end using an urging means disposed at
least partly within the liner so that the liner lines at least a portion
of the borehole; and
ejecting explosives against said second end from said urging means whereby
said liner fills with said explosives.
3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a cover disposed on and about
said liner.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said cover is not disposed on or about
said first and second ends.
5. The device of claim 1 further comprising means to close said first end.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein further comprising means to close one end
of said tube.
7. The device of claim 6 when the means to close is a cap.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the liner comprises a flexible polymer.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein said second end comprises tape
reinforcing.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein said second end comprises a plastic cap.
11. A method of lining at least a portion of a borehole with an elongated,
flexible, waterproof liner and filling said liner with explosives,
comprising:
locating the liner at or at least partially within the entrance of the
borehole, wherein the liner comprises a first end, a second end, and an
explosive holding portion of the borehole;
exerting force against the second end using an urging means disposed at
least partly within the liner so that the liner lines at least a portion
of the borehole; and
ejecting explosives against said second end from said urging means whereby
said liner fills with said explosives.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the urging means comprises a hose, said
explosives are initially at least partially contained within said hose and
said explosives are ejected from said hose by blowing air through said
hose.
13. A method of lining at least a portion of a borehole with an elongated,
flexible, waterproof liner, comprising:
locating a tube with a liner disposed on and about the tube at or at least
partially within the entrance of the borehole, wherein the liner comprises
a first end, a second end, and an explosive holding portion;
exerting force against the second end of the liner so that the liner lines
at least a portion of the borehole; and
inserting an explosive into the liner.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the urging means comprises a hose and
force is exerted against said second end by pushing said hose against said
second end.
15. The method of claim 2 wherein said urging means comprises a hose, said
explosives are initially at least partially contained within said hose and
said explosives are ejected from said hose by blowing air through said
hose.
16. The method of any one of claims 12 or 15 wherein said hose is
operatively associated with an explosives feeder which feeds explosives
into the hose as air is blown through the hose.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the urging means comprises a hose, said
hose also contains a detonator and a primer, and, said explosives, said
detonator and said primer are ejected from said hose by blowing air
through said hose.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein as said explosives are ejected from said
hose, said hose moves outwardly through said first end.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein as said explosives are ejected from said
hose, said hose moves outwardly from said liner through said first end.
20. The method of claim 17 or 19 wherein said detonator is a non-electric
detonator.
21. The method of claim 17 or 19 wherein said detonator is an electric
detonator and said liner is semiconductive.
22. The method of claim 12 wherein the urging means comprises a hose, said
hose also contains a detonator and a primer, and, said explosives, said
detonator and said primer are ejected from said hose by blowing air
through said hose.
23. The method of claim 15 wherein as said explosives are ejected from said
hose, said hose moves outwardly from said liner through said first end.
24. The method of claim 22 wherein as said explosives are ejected from said
hose, said hose moves outwardly from said liner through said first end.
25. The method of claim 22 or 24 wherein said detonator is a non-electric
detonator.
26. The method of claim 22 or 24 wherein said detonator is an electric
detonator and said liner is semiconductive.
Description
BACKGROUND ART
During mining excavations in an underground mine a number of boreholes are
typically dug in the end face of the mine. The boreholes are then filled
with waterproofed explosives, a detonator is added to each of the
boreholes and the explosives in the boreholes detonated in an appropriate
sequence. The main reason waterproof explosives are used is due to water
seepage that occurs into the boreholes that generally prevent the use of
non waterproofed explosives. However, since non waterproofed the use of
non waterproofed explosives. However, since non waterproofed explosives
such as ANFO are generally such cheaper than waterproofed explosives there
is clearly a need for a device and a method which would enable use of non
waterproofed explosives in boreholes.
OBJECTS OF INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a waterproof device for
holding explosives in a borehole.
Another object is to provide a method of lining at least a portion of a
borehole with an elongated, flexible, waterproof liner.
A further object is to provide a method of lining at least a portion of a
borehole with an elongated, flexible, waterproof liner and filling the
liner with explosives.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to a first embodiment of this invention there is provided a
waterproof device for holding explosives in a borehole, comprising:
an elongated, flexible, waterproof liner having first and second ends, the
liner being capable of holding explosives within a borehole;
The first end having an aperture through which explosives can be loaded
into the linear;
the second end being closed and having sufficient structural strength
whereby the linear can be disposed within and along at least a portion of
a borehole by locating the device at or at least partially within the
entrance of the borehole and exerting force against the second end by
urging means disposed at least partly within the liner, without rupturing
the second end.
According to a second embodiment of this invention there is provided the
device of the first embodiment further comprising a tube and the liner is
disposed on and about the tube.
Typically, the device of also includes a cover disposed on and about the
liner. Generally, the cover is not disposed on or about the first and
second ends. Advantageously , the device also includes means to close the
first end or means to close one end of the tube. Generally, the means to
close one end of the tube is a cap, typically a plastic cap.
Generally, the liner comprises a flexible polymer.
Typically, the tube is a cardboard, plastic, wooden, metallic or ceramic
tube.
The second end may have tape reinforcing or alternatively may include a
plastic cap.
According to a third embodiment of this invention there is provided a
method of lining at least a portion of a borehole with an elongated,
flexible, waterproof liner, comprising:
locating the device of the first or second embodiments at or at least
partially within the entrance of the borehole; and
exerting force against the second end using urging means disposed at least
partly within the liner so that the liner lines at least a portion of the
borehole.
Typically, the urging means comprises a hose and force is exerted against
the second end by blowing air through the hose.
According to a fourth embodiment of this invention there is provided a
method of lining at least a portion of a borehole with an elongated,
flexible, waterproof liner and filling said liner and explosives,
comprising:
locating the device of the first or second embodiments at or at least
partially within the entrance of the borehole; and
exerting force against the second end using an urging means disposed at
least partly within the liner so that the liner lines at least a portion
of the borehole;
ejecting explosives against said second end from said urging means whereby
said liner fills with said explosives.
Generally, the urging means comprises a hose, the explosives are initially
at least partially contained within the hose and the explosives are
ejected from the hose by blowing air through the hose. The hose also may
contain a detonator and a primer, and, the explosives, the detonator and
the primer are ejected from the hose by blowing air through the hose.
Typically, as the explosives are ejected from the hose, the hose moves
outwardly from the liner through the first end.
Generally, the detonator is a non-electric detonator.
Alternatively, the detonator may an electric detonator and the liner is
semiconductive.
Generally, the hose is operatively associated with an explosives feeder
which feeds explosives into the hose as air is blown through the hose.
Typically the liner is a thin film (2 to 10 mm thick, preferably 2 to 6 mm
thick) of a polymer such as a polyolefin (C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 olefin),
copolymers of different polyolefins, terpolymers of different polyolefins
and blends of polyolefins. Examples of such polymers include polyethylene,
polyethylene polymer with C.sub.3 to C.sub.10 alkenes,
poyethylene/butadiene, polyethylene/vinyl acetate, different types of
polyethylene including high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density
polyethylene (LDPE), linear-low density Polyethylene (LLDPE) and mixtures
and blends of different types of polyethylene with each other and other
copolymers, polypropylene, copolymers of polypropylene and blends with
polyethylene and polyethylene copolymers, propylene/butadiene,
polyethylene polypropylene block copolymers and ethylene propylene C.sub.4
-C.sub.6 diene terpolymers. Other suitable polymers include
poly(vinylchloride), polyvinylchloride blends (see flexible polyblends
listed in Table 1 page 461-463 of `Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology`,
Kirk Othmer, 3rd Edition, Volume 18, John Wiley & Sons 1982, and
poly(ethylene-terephatlate).
Typically, the cap is a polymer such as methacrylate including poly(methyl
methacrylate), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), SAN blends with
acrylonitrile/butadene/styrene terpolymer, PVC, polypropylene,
polyethylene including HDPE, LLDPE, LDPE and mixtures or blends thereof.
Polypropylene polyethylene blends, copolymers and block copolymers.
One of the advantages of the devices and methods of the invention is that
they enable use of non-waterproofed explosives in boreholes such as ANFO.
Other advantages are that a device of the invention can be manufactured
cheaply. Further the devices may be manufactured in such a way that they
are light, small and convenient to store and transport, are light and
convenient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a cross section of a waterproof device for
holding explosives in a borehole;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the waterproof device of FIG. 1 including a
cover disposed on and about the liner of the device.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of amine having a borehole lined with the
waterproof device of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a side elevation of amine having a borehole lined with the
waterproof device of FIG. 2 the device having a detonator and being filled
with ANFO explosive.
BEST MODE AND OTHER MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1 a waterproof device 10 for holding explosives in a
borehole has an elongated, flexible, waterproof liner 11 having first end
12 and second end 13. Liner 11 which is capable of holding explosives in a
borehole, is typically constructed substantially from the polypropylene
and is generally 2 to 6 mm thick. End 13 comprises a plastic cap made of a
polymer such as styrene which has sufficient structural strength whereby
liner 11 can be disposed within the along at least a portion of a borehole
by locating device 10 at or at least partially within the entrance of the
borehole and exerting force against end 13 by urging means (described in
detail below) disposed at least partly within liner 11, without rupturing
end 13. As an alternative to cap 13, end 13 may be a closed polypropylene
end which is reinforced by tape. Liner 11 is disposed on and about
cardboard tube 14. Device 10 includes cap 15 which fits into end 16 of
tube 14. End 12 has an aperture to enable liner 11 to be disposed on and
about tube 14. FIG. 2 depicts device 10 of FIG. 1 except it includes a
paper cover 17 disposed on and about liner 11.
Use of device 10 is now described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
Referring to FIG. 3 device 10 is placed in borehole 50 which is located in
mine wall 51. Cap 15 is removed from device 10 and the end of hose 52 is
placed within tube 14 so that it is in contact or in near contact with end
13. Hose 52 has a Nonel (Ensign-Bickford) non-electric detonator and
primer 53 located within it. End 57 of hose 52 including detonator and
primer 53 is pushed against cap 13 to extend the liner along borehole 50
to the back of borehole 50. Hose 52 is connected to ANFO explosive feeder
54. Compressed air pump 55 is coupled to explosives feeder 54. After
locating end 57 of hose 52 within liner 11 at the back of borehole 51, air
compressor 55 is turned on. The force of the compressed air through hose
52 forces detonator and primer 53 and ANFO out of the end of hose 52 and
initially against end 13. As liner 11 fills with ANFO water in borehole 50
is displaced and flows out of the entrance of borehole 50 in the space
between the walls at the entrance of borehole 50 and the external surface
of device 10. The back force resulting on hose 52 from ANFO ejected from
end 57 of hose 52 against ANFO already within liner 11 forces hose 52 back
out of end 16 of tube 14 leaving liner 11 lining borehole 50 and having
detonator and primer 52 therein as well as liner 11 being substantially
full of ANFO 56 which ANFO is protected from water by liner 11. Cap 15 may
be then placed on device 10 and ANFO 56 in liner is then detonated
utilising detonator and primer 53 by known detonation procedures.
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